Weekly Release #15
12/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Upcoming Schedule ...
Saturday, Dec. 6 -- at Santa Clara in NCAA Quarterfinals (Santa Clara, Calif.), 7 p.m. PST
Friday, Dec. 12 -- NCAA College Cup Semifinals (Columbus, Ohio)
Sunday, Dec. 14 -- NCAA College Cup Final (Columbus, Ohio)
This Week: Go West Young Man ...
The No. 12-seeded University of Michigan men's soccer team (14-6-1, 5-1 Big Ten) will play in its first NCAA Elite Eight match Saturday evening (Dec. 6) when the Wolverines face the No. 9-ranked Santa Clara Broncos at 7 p.m. PST in Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. It marks the first time Michigan will make a trip to California and the first time U-M will face Santa Clara.
Michigan and the NCAAs ...
Michigan is making its first NCAA College Cup appearance in its four-year varsity history. The Wolverines earned a spot in the round of eight Sunday (Nov. 30) when they advanced past Notre Dame on the strength of a 4-3 advantage in penalty kicks after 110 of action produced a 1-1 tie at Alumni Field in South Bend, Ind. Michigan earned its first win in NCAA postseason play when it defeated Saint Peter's College 6-2 Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 26) on the U-M Soccer Field.
Scouting the Opponents ...
Santa Clara -- The Broncos enter the Saturday night matchup with a record of 15-3-4, including two victories and a tie in the 2003 NCAA College Cup. Santa Clara opened the College Cup when it advanced on penalty kicks 4-1 following a 1-1 double-overtime tie with Southern Methodist. Santa Clara reached to the Sweet 16 with a 1-0 overtime win over No. 13-seeded Loyola Marymount last Wednesday (Nov. 26). The Broncos earned a spot in the Elite Eight when they came from behind to defeat Coastal Carolina 3-2 in overtime Sunday (Nov. 30). Leading the offensive attack for the Broncos are Will Weatherly and Kelechi Igwe. Weatherly has tallied 17 points on seven goals and three assists, while Igwe has tallied 12 points on four goals and four helpers. Santa Clara has spread the scoring around this season as 17 different Broncos have tallied at least one point.
Missing Some Top Players ...
Much like the Wolverines, the Broncos will not have their entire roster for the Elite Eight meeting. Santa Clara has two players who are representing the U.S. Under-20 Men's Soccer National Team. Starting goalkeeper Steve Cronin and starting defender Ryan Cochrane are currently teammates of Knox Cameron (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman HS) in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championships in the United Arab Emirates (Nov. 22-Dec. 19).
Michigan vs. Santa Clara ...
The NCAA quarterfinal matchup will be the first meeting between the Wolverines and Broncos.
The Last Time Out: Michigan KOs Notre Dame on PKs ...
Michigan earned a trip to the NCAA College Cup Elite Eight last Sunday (Nov. 30) when the Wolverines achieved a 4-3 penalty kick advantage at No. 3 Notre Dame after the teams were tied 1-1 following 110 minutes of action in South Bend, Ind. The Fighting Irish took an early 1-0 lead when Justin Detter beat sophomore Peter Dzubay (Sylvania, Ohio/Northview HS) to a through pass and sent a crossing shot to the back of a vacated net at 16:57. Michigan wasted litte time to tally the equalizer as senior tri-captain Mike White (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS) beat the Irish keeper to his right just 3:14 later, assisted by freshman defender Kevin Savitskie (Plymouth, Mich./Salem HS) and sophomore Chris Glinksi (Rochester, Minn./Lourdes HS). Between the pipes Dzubay made nine saves, including two in the second overtime period.
With the score knotted at 1-1 after 110 minutes, the match would be decided in penalty kicks, with Notre Dame shooting first. The first three shooters for each team converted, with senior tri-captain Kevin Taylor (Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep), sophomore Adam Bruh (Roselyn Heights, N.Y./Wheatley HS) and freshman Brian Popeney (Canton, Mich./Plymouth Salem HS) scoring for Michigan. Dzubay then made consecutive stops on Notre Dame's top two scorers, Devon Prescod and Detter. With the PK total tied at 3-3, White stepped to the spot as Michigan's final shooter and sent his first career PK attempt to the back netting of the Irish goal for a 4-3 U-M advantage.
Elite Eight in Santa Clara ... Sounds Familiar ...
The Michigan men's soccer program will play its first ever College Cup Elite Eight match this Saturday evening at Santa Clara. It marks the second consecutive year a U-M soccer program has made its first NCAA quarterfinal appearance and been matched up with the Broncos in Santa Clara, Calif. Last year the Michigan women's team traveled to the West Coast and dropped a 3-1 decision at Santa Clara.
Michigan at Notre Dame ...
The Wolverines' advancement into the Elite Eight marked the second time this season a U-M soccer team knocked a Notre Dame squad out of the NCAA Tournament South Bend, Ind. Three weeks ago, the Michigan women's soccer team defeated the No. 4-ranked Irish 1-0 to advance to the Sweet 16 in the Women's College Cup.
The Wolverines against Teams from California ...
Michigan has faced two teams from the Golden State in its four-year history and has compiled a record of 1-1. U-M earned its first victory over a California team in its first game of this season when the Wolverines downed Loyola Marymount 2-0 in the Michigan State Invitational (Aug. 31). Last year Michigan fell to UC-Santa Barabara 5-3 at the MSU Invite (9/1/02).
Michigan against the Nation's Top 10 ...
The Wolverines' 1-1 tie of Notre Dame was the program's first non-loss against a national Top 10 opponent. Heading into the match U-M had a record of 0-6 against teams in the Top 10, with four of the losses to Indiana. Michigan has compiled a record of 3-8-1 against nationally ranked teams in its four-year existence, including a mark of 2-1-1 this year.
Michigan in OVERTIME ...
The Wolverines used every allotted minute of play as they forced Notre Dame to penalty kicks in the Sweet 16 of the College Cup, resulting in a tie in the record column. It was Michigan's third overtime match of the season and first tie of the year. Though U-M and ND officially tied, the Maize and Blue advanced to the round of eight with a 4-3 advantage in penalty kicks, as Peter Dzubay turned away Notre Dame's final two attempts, while Kevin Taylor, Adam Bruh, Brian Popeney and Mike White all converted their spot kicks. With the tie, Michigan's record is 5-5-4 in overtime games and 2-3-3 in double overtime affairs.
The BIGGEST and the BEST ...
The Big Ten Conference is the only conference in the nation that produced two teams in the Elite Eight. The first- and second-place team's in the conference, Indiana and Michigan advanced to the Elite Eight of the College Cup with a 5-0 victory and a 4-3 penalty kick advantage last Sunday (Nov. 30), respectively. Other conferences represented in the Elite Eight are the Atlantic Coast (Maryland), Big East (St. John's), Conference USA (Saint Louis), Missouri Valley (Creighton), Pacific-10 (UCLA) and West Coast (Santa Clara).
21 and Counting ...
Michigan's win at Notre Dame was its school-record 21st game of the season. Through 21 games, U-M has posted a record of 14-6-1. The previous record of 20 games occurred last year when the Wolverines finished 11-7-2.
Seniors Represent U-M's First Four-Year Class ...
The senior class of Tom Gritter (Grand Rapids, Mich./Christian HS), Ian Hirschfield (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Pine Crest HS), Joey Iding (Lansing, Mich./Catholic Central HS), Kevin Robinson (Caro, Mich./Faith Baptist HS), Kevin Taylor, Steve Walton (Portage, Mich./Central HS) and Mike White are in their final season with the Michigan Wolverines. Of the seven, White was the first high school senior to verbally commit to the University of Michigan and in his time as a Wolverine the two-time team captain has totaled 61 points on 22 goals and 17 assists. Unmentioned in his career point and goal total is his deciding penalty kick that sent the Wolverines into the Elite Eight of the 2003 College Cup. In their four years as members of the Wolverine men's soccer program the seven-member class has anchored the Maize and Blue to a record of 40-30-4, improving their record in each of the program's four years of existence. The seven seniors have combined for 141 points on 49 goals and 43 assists.
Whistle Happy ...
The Wolverines were called for a season-high 33 fouls and one yellow card last Sunday (Nov. 30) in their Sweet 16 matchup at Notre Dame. Michigan had 13 fouls in the first half, 16 in the second half and two in each 10-minute overtime period. On the other hand, Notre Dame set a Michigan opponent low for fouls as the Irish were only whistled for eight infractions. Through 21 matches and 1,920:55 minutes of play this season, Michigan has outfouled its opponents 363-265.
No Soup for You ...
Peter Dzubay came through with two big saves during the penalty kick competition in the Sweet 16 last Sunday (Nov. 30) in Notre Dame, as the sophomore turned away Devon Prescod and Justin Detter, the fourth and fifth shooters for the Irish. Dzubay's two saves allowed Mike White the opportunity to end the match and send the Wolverines on to the Elite Eight, which he did.
I Am the Keeper of the Zoo ...
With nine saves against Notre Dame in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA College Cup last Sunday (Nov. 30), Peter Dzubay pushed his season total to 106. The number shatters the previous U-M single-season save record of 59, set by Joe Zawacki (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS) in 2001. Dzubay's 2003 total is more than double his save output from last year (54).
Sitting on the Dock of Dzubay ...
Peter Dzubay earned the first NCAA Championship victory in Michigan history as the sophomore goalkeeper turned away 10 saves in 90 minutes of play against Saint Peter's last Wednesday (Nov. 26) in the second round of the College Cup. Dzubay's 10 saves tie a career and Michigan program record. Dzubay turned away 10 opponent shots in U-M's 4-2 victory over Penn State earlier this year (Oct. 26).
Still Sitting on the Dock of Dzubay ...
Peter Dzubay turned away nine shots in 110 minutes of play and stopped a pair of spot kicks in the penalty kick competition at Notre Dame last Sunday (Nov. 30) to become the first Wolverine to win 20 career games. Through his first two seasons between the pipes for the Maize and Blue, Dzubay has posted a record of 20-8-2, including a mark of 12-6-1 in 2003. Through 21 games this season, the sophomore keeper has 106 saves in 1,756:32 minutes for a goals-against average of 1.34.
White Washed ...
Mike White netted his second goal of the 2003 College Cup last Sunday (Nov. 30) at Notre Dame when he tallied the equalizer at 20:11 of the first half. White's goal came just 3:14 after Notre Dame took a 1-0 advantage. White again came up big as Michigan's fifth shooter in the penalty kick shootout, breaking a 3-3 deadlock to send Michigan to the quarterfinals.
A Career of White ...
Senior tri-captain Mike White has put up some big numbers in his four years in the middle of the Michigan offense. In a program-record 73 career games played White has tallied 61 points on 22 goals and 17 assists. He is one of only three Wolverines to tally 60 points in a career and ranks third on Michigan's all-time goals scored list as well as second on the all-time assist list. He is U-M's all-time leader in shots with 145 and ranks second in shots on goal with 69.
A Hair Above the Rest ...
Senior tri-captain Kevin Taylor enters the Elite Eight as the program's scoring leader amongst defenders. Through 69 career games Taylor has tallied 31 points on 12 goals and seven assists, including a single-season best 14 points and six markers in 2003. All of Taylor's goals this season have come via the penalty kick, as the senior is a perfect 6-6 from the 12-yard spot in 2003. In his career Taylor has never missed a PK converting 10-of-10, including the Wolverines' first in their PK shootout at Notre Dame last Sunday (Nov. 30).
Pops is the Tops ...
Though he did not see the field during the 110 minutes of play, freshman Brian Popeney played a major role in Michigan's advancement into the College Cup quarterfinals. His accomplishment will not be recorded in any of his stat columns, but with Notre Dame ahead 3-2 during the penalty-kick shootout, Popeney drilled the ball to the back of the net to tie the score at 3-3 and set up Mike White's winning tally.
Big Ten's Best ...
Junior forward Knox Cameron was named the Big Ten Athlete of the Year by the coaches and received the award Nov. 13 at the Big Ten postseason banquet in Bloomington, Ind. It marked the first Big Ten Athlete of the Year award garnered by a Wolverine in the program's four-year history. Cameron led the Big Ten in points (33), points per game (1.74), goals (12), goals per game (0.63) and game-winning goals (5).
Postseason Honorees ...
In its best season to date, Michigan placed five players on Big Ten All-Conference teams announced Nov. 13 at the conference's annual postseason banquet. Highlighting the list of Wolverines was first team unanimous selection and Big Ten Athlete of the Year Knox Cameron, who was joining on the All-Big Ten first team by senior tri-captains Kevin Taylor and Mike White and sophomore goalkeeper Peter Dzubay. Junior forward Mychal Turpin was named to the All-Big Ten second team.
Cameron with U.S. U-20's ...
Knox Cameron will not be on the roster for Saturday's match at Santa Clara, as he is currently playing for the U.S. Under-20 Men's Soccer National Team. The U-20's are participating in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championships in the United Arab Emirates (Nov. 22-Dec. 19). The 24-team field is divided into six groups of four, with the top two teams in each group and the four best teams among those ranked third at the end of the first round of qualifying for the Round of 16. The U.S. is in Group F and will play its matches at Al-Nahyan Stadium in Adu Dhabi. The U-20's opened competition Nov. 29 with a 3-1 win over Paraguay and have upcoming matches against Germany (Dec. 2) and South Korea (Dec. 5).
Setting New Standards ...
With 14 wins this season, Michigan has surpassed the program's single-season win record of 11 set last year. In 2002 the Maize and Blue finished 11-7-2. Michigan's win at Ohio State on Nov. 1 also gave U-M its program-best fifth win in Big Ten play, breaking its old mark of three set during the 2001 and 2002 seasons.
I Love Gooooooooooals ...
Through 21 games this season, Michigan tallied five goals six times (UNC Greensboro, at Bowling Green, at Michigan State, vs. Wisconsin, at Penn State and vs. Saint Peter's). In those six games, the Wolverines have compiled a record of 6-0, improving their four-year program record to 15-1-1 when netting three or more goals in a game.
Honors and Awards ...
The Wolverines have been honored many times this season, as Mychal Turpin was named the College Sports Television Student-Athlete of the Week, Knox Cameron was twice named to the College Soccer News' National Team of the Week and four athletes have combined to win five Big Ten Conference Athlete of the Week accolades. Cameron was selected twice as the league's Offensive Athlete of the Week, while Bobby Trybula and Turpin earned the honor once this season. Senior tri-captain Kevin Taylor earned the team's lone Defensive Player of the Week award this season.
I Had An Awesome Time ...
In Big Ten play Michigan ended the regular season as the leader in five of six offense categories. Michigan led the conference in points (44), goals scored (15), goals per game (2.22), assists (14) and assists per game (2.50). Overall, counting non-conference matches, the Wolverines led all Big Ten teams in the same five offensive categories, headlining the lists of points (119), goals scored (40), goals per game (2.16), assists (38), assists per game (2.11).
League Leaders ...
Knox Cameron finished the conference regular season as the leader in nearly every Big Ten offensive category this season. Cameron led the league in shots (21), shots per game (3.50), points (13), points per game (2.17), goals (5), goals per game (0.83) and game-winning goals (3). Cameron was also second in assists (3) and assists per game (0.60). Peter Dzubay was the league leader in saves (37) and saves per game (6.17). He was also second in the conference in goals-against average with a mark of 1.31.
The Life I Love is Making Music With My Friends ...
For the second consecutive year the Michigan offense is putting up some big numbers. Through Nov. 30, the Wolverines have totaled 143 points on 48 goals and 47 assists in 21 games this season.
Would You Like To Supersize Your Order ...
Mychal Turpin etched his name in the Big Ten record book earlier this year when the junior striker netted his second career four-goal game. It marked the first time in conference history a player had tallied two career four-goal games. What makes it even more special is that Turpin accomplished the feat in just a two-week span. Turpin is one of only five players in league history to net four goals in a game and first since Aaron Lauber did it on Nov. 1, 2001.
Debuting at the Top of the Charts ...
The Maize and Blue made a stunning debut in the NSCAA/adidas Top 25 on Oct. 20, earning a No. 11 national ranking after not even receiving a single vote the previous week.
In the Polls ...
The Wolverines dropped out of the final regular-season NCAA/adidas Coaches' Poll, released Monday, Nov. 17.
RANK, TEAM RECORD PREV 1. UCLA 18-1-1 1 2. Maryland 17-2-1 2 3. Notre Dame 15-3-3 5 4. Wake Forest 15-4-0 2 4. Saint Louis 13-3-3 6 6. St. John's 14-5-2 4 7. Virginia Commonwealth 16-4-0 8 8. Indiana 12-3-5 11 9. Santa Clara 13-3-3 7 10. North Carolina 12-3-4 8 11. Brown 10-3-3 12 12. Coastal Carolina 17-2-0 18 13. Fairleigh Dickinson 14-4-1 14 14. Florida International 13-4-2 10 15. Southern Methodist 13-6-2 25 16. Hartwick 15-2-1 15 17. Cal State Northridge 14-3-2 NR 18. Virginia Tech 14-4-2 NR 18. Rutgers 10-6-4 NR 20. UC Santa Barbara 15-4-1 21 21. Akron 14-4-2 NR 22. Davidson 15-5-2 NR 23. Yale 10-6-1 22 24. Bradley 11-8-4 19 25. Duquesne 13-3-3 17 25. Alabama Birmingham 10-5-5 24
The Book on Burns ...
Head coach Steve Burns is 41-30-4 through 75 games as the program's leader and has guided his squad to the NCAA Elite Eight in just its fourth varsity campaign. In 21 games this season U-M has compiled a program-best 14 wins and a set a Michigan record with five wins in conference play. The Wolverines made their first-ever appearance in the NSCAA/adidas Coaches' Poll, debuting at No. 11 in the weekly poll on Oct. 20. Since Burns took the helm in 2000, the Wolverines have bettered their record in each of his four years. In the program's inaugural season of 2000, U-M finished with a 6-10 record, while in 2001 his club put together a mark of 10-7-1. Prior to Michigan soccer being granted varsity status on March 26, 1999, Burns was the head coach of the Michigan club team since 1993. Under his leadership, Michigan posted a 121-51-26 mark (.677 winning percentage) and made six consecutive appearances in the national club championship tournament. The team won back-to-back national championships in 1997 and 1998.
On the Horizon ...
If Michigan defeats Santa Clara, the Wolverinres will advance to the NCAA College Cup Final Four in Columbus, Ohio. The semifinals will be played Friday, Dec. 12, at 5 and 7:30 p.m. The Michigan-Santa Clara winner will face the winner of the quarterfinal between UCLA and Big Ten rival Indiana.
Contact: Gene Skidmore (734) 763-4423
